Vermont colleges draw in out-of-state students every fall, and so far this year’s female students have only increased Green Mountain State’s stellar vaccination rates.

Getting vaxxed for the class

Students have a 93.6% full vaccination rate among Vermont’s 16 colleges and universities, according to data released by the Vermont Department of Health on September 14. in parentheses, students are vaccinated at rates seen only by people 65 and older in Vermont.

Many colleges this year have required vaccinations – including the three local University of Vermont colleges, Saint-Michel College and Champlain College – with only certain documented exemptions allowing them to opt out.

What is a vaccine exemption?

Students can obtain exemption from vaccination on the basis of medical or religious reasons and must file a document stating their reason. University of Vermont also allows an exemption if the student will be away completely for the fall semester and live outside Chittenden County.

About 2.4% or 704 students received a waiver for the semester.

People with a religious or medical exemption who study on campus are required to take a test every seven days and wear masks on the University of Vermont campus.

How are COVID cases on college campuses?

Colleges have tested frequently when students return to school. Here’s a look at the cases from the first three weeks versus testing:

• Week 1: 37 positive out of 12,623 tests
• Week 2: 36 positive out of 7,434 tests
• Week 3: 43 positives out of 3,053 tests

Contact reporter April Barton at [email protected] or 802-660-1854. Follow her on Twitter @aprildbarton.